Gift Guide: Crystal Gonzales of M. & Wally Highlights their Top Product

Today we’re excited to be connecting with Crystal Gonzales again. We’re excited to feature one of their products in our gift guide – learn more below and we encourage you to use your gift budget to support small businesses & creatives whenever possible.

Crystal, thanks for joining us again. We’re so excited to have a product focused conversation today. Can you bring our readers up to speed on the product side?
I started this business, inspired by my babies. I found myself wanting a creative outlet (being in the corporate world) and I also wanted to be able to do my own thing and stop working a 9-5. I worked a ton, I felt like I missed out on so much with my kids and so that’s how M. & Wally was created. It was a way to create, build a business, bring joy to my career, all while being able to do it alongside my kids. I work with smaller designers to create prints that my kids like and even though we’ve only been in business for a year it’s grown tremendously. I chose bamboo fabric due to not only how soft it is but how breathable it is (making it a year round/all season fabric), and how good it is for children with eczema. It’s a hypoallergenic fabric that is good for anyone with skin sensitivities. My daughter has suffered her whole life with painful eczema and I wish that this would’ve been clothes that I would’ve found when she was younger as she was irritated with anything fleece or polyester. So I not only hope to bring clothing that is fun, but also that kids and babies are comfortable in all year round.

Do you remember the moment you realized the world needed this product?
My daughter suffered greatly from eczema, and while it was partly diet related, almost all fabrics that I could find in the store irritated her. Bamboo is something that I wish would’ve been an option as it would’ve helped me so much with her skin sensitivities. Then when my son was born, he had (& still has) the issue that he ran very hot so he was just uncomfortable in most pajamas or anything long sleeve. I found bamboo pajamas online and instantly became obsessed. It was a fabric unlike any other in that it kept him warm in cold weather, but cool enough that he wasn’t sweating profusely all the time. I began to love looking into different designs and realized that he was now picking out his own designs. I had always wanted to start my own business and my intuition was telling me this was it. & it truly has felt like my calling ever since day one. It fulfills my creative side and I just love being able to create designs that people love! I have received so many kind messages from people who have said they love our fun designs and how great our quality is.

How do most people hear about your product?
I don’t think there’s a magic marketing tactic that works for everyone. Marketing is very much a trial and error kind of thing. I have lost so much money and time in trying to figure out what works and what will get us seen. I have done google ads, social media ads, giveaways, local markets, collabs, and the list goes on. Being a smaller business and not having the budget to hire a marketing company (or a professional) definitely has its challenges. I’ve come to the conclusion that all I can do is attempt to find a way to get myself into people’s home either by having sales, or word of mouth, and if I continue to put out a great product- people will continue to come back. It doesn’t matter whether you have 2 customer or 500, treat them all with respect/kindness and give them something that is wonderful product, they will continue to purchase. Value each and every customer because they are the ones that keep your business going,

What are you most thankful for?
I’m thankful for my customers and our growth. It has not been easy to even get to this point and some days are harder than others. But I know we are putting forth something of great quality and truly something that is designed with so much care, so we keep on going every single day.